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COMMISSIONER OF CONFEDERATE ROLLS, 



REPORT 


OF 


M. P. TRIBBLE, 



TO THE 


General Assembly, 


1903. 


COLOMBIA, S. C. 

THE STATE COMPANY, STATE PRINTERS, 

1004. 








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REPORT 


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M. P. TRIBBLE, 

COMMISSIONER OF CONFEDERATE ROLLS, 


TO THE 


General Assembly. 


1903. 




COLUMBIA, S. C. 

THE STATE COMPANY, STATE PRINTERS. 

1904. 

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MAY 10 1904 

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REPORT. 


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To 77 / 7 ' Excellency , D. C. Heyward, Governor of South Carolina : 

Sir : Under authority of an executive order recorded by your 
Excellency on the 25th day of March, 1903, I, on the 1st day of 
June, 1903, entered upon the work of collecting data for the com- 
pilation and publication of the “Confederate Roster and Records" 
of South Carolina. 

The work of compiling and publishing these records will be under- 
taken by the War Department according to and by the authority of 
an Act of Congress passed in March, 1903. 

When entering upon the work assigned me I found on file in this 
office about six hundred manuscript rolls and other records which 
had been compiled from time to time by the surviving veterans of 
the Civil War. The work of compiling the rolls and securing other 
data pertaining to Confederate history was begun by the “Survivors 
Association" in 1869, at Charleston, S. C. Much credit is due the 
late Edward McCrady of Charleston for the prominent part which 
he took in securing valuable historical documents and rolls. Prof. 
W. J. Rivers, in his “Account of the Raising of Confederate 
Troops," has laid the foundation for the work of the Confederate 
historian. Much valuable work has also been done by Generals 
Manigault and Farley, J. B. Kershaw, and Col. John P. Thomas. 
I am pleased to say that the work done by Colonel Thomas, especi- 
ally, in connection with securing rolls and records has been of great 
value and justly deserves commendation. 

When I took charge of the work I found the rolls practically com- 
plete, with the exception of individual records on a great many of 
them. I sent out several thousand circular letters to survivors over 
the State urging them to send in to this office anything that they had 
in their possession in the shape of rolls or other data that would 
assist in the compilation of the Confederate records. I also had 
published in nearly every newspaper in the State the circular letter, 
together with a letter from Gen. F. C, Ainsworth, of the War De- 
partment. As a result of this a great many rolls were received at 
this office which were carefully compared with the rolls on file here. 

I find that the work of compiling the rolls is greatly hindered on 
account of the numerous changes that were made in the Confederate 


4 


organizations. In 1861 most of the troops in the State enlisted for 
twelve months ; at the expiration of their term of service they re- 
enlisted and were formed into new companies and regiments. Some- 
times a company was transferred from one regiment to another, and 
with no official records it is almost impossible to trace the men com- 
posing the different companies. 

It has not been my purpose, however, to make a compilation of 
the troops, as that will be done by the War Department. According 
to instruction received from General Ainsworth I am directed to 
collect the data and send it to Washington, where the compilation 
and publication will be done. 

According to the interpretation made by General Ainsworth of 
the Bill passed by Congress in March, 1903, nothing but original 
or contemporaneous documents will be accepted by the War Depart- 
ment for publication. Knowing if that interpretation of the Bill be 
adhered to that South Carolina would be almost entirelv left out, I 
placed myself in communication with the Commissioners of several 
other Southern States. As a result of this a convention was held in 
Atlanta, Ga., on the 20th and 21st of June last. At this meeting a 
committee was appointed to draft resolutions memorializing Con- 
gress at the next session to so change or amend the Bill as to allow 
the acceptance of such rolls as can be made up by the surviving 
members of the Confederate States Army. This step has been ap- 
proved by General Ainsworth, who has the work in charge. 

Since beginning my work I have collected eighty-seven original 
rolls and have added much valuable data to the rolls already on file 
by completing some that were incomplete as to individual records. 

There are on file now in the office of the “Commissioner of Con- 
federate Rolls" the following rolls : 


Manuscript rolls — Infantry 405 

Manuscript rolls — Artillery 46 

Manuscript rolls — Cavalry 72 

Manuscript rolls — Miscellaneous 95 — 618 

Original rolls — Infantry 165 

Original rolls — Artillery 44 

Original rolls — Cavalry 21 

Original rolls — Miscellaneous 11 — 241 


Total number of rolls 


859 


5 


The aggregate number of names on rolls 67,819, which, according 
to estimates made by others, familiar with Confederate history of the 
State, represents, approximately, the full strength of the troops 
serving from this State. 

In connection with my report, I beg leave to mention a very valu- 
able addition to the Confederate records which was contributed by 
Mrs. J. H. Foster, of Lancaster. The compilation consists of a 
complete history and roster of the eight companies from Lancaster 
County, and in addition an account of the movements of both the 
Confederate and Federal armies in this State. The whole work, 
which consists of about 230 pages, was compiled from original docu- 
ments, and is authentic in every particular. 

This office is also indebted to Mrs. James P. Adams, of Congaree, 
for roster and history of Adams' Battalion of Cavalry. 

All the rolls and records in this office will be carefully packed 
and shipped to Washington. Everything will be returned as soon as 
the War Department has completed the compilation and publication. 

Through the courtesy of Mr. A. B. Andrews, vice-president of 
the Southern Railway, I secured a pass over their lines, enabling me 
to visit various parts of the State in my work of securing data for 
the compilation of Confederate rolls. 

I have had associated with me Mr. T. J. Pyles, who has proven to 
be a valuable and efficient assistant. 

There having been no appropriation made by the General As- 
sembly for the prosecution of this work, I have undertaken it at my 
own expense, trusting that a suitable appropriation will be made at 
the next session ,of the Legislature. 

Having fulfilled to the full measure of my ability and my oppor- 
tunity the trust committed to me by your Excellency, I now submit 
to you my report, with a high appreciation of the interest that your 
Excellency has shown in my labors. 

I have the honor to be, yours respectfully, 

M. P. TRIBBLE, 

Com. Confederate Rolls, S. C. 





































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